Education Resources

College Scholarships, Financial Aid, Support, and Housing

College Scholarships
This is an online list of available Scholarships for foster youth, disabled youth, exceptional, and disadvantaged youth. This list was compiled in 2010 and may contain some inaccurate information. We are in the process of updating this list and will post it as soon as possible. Watch this space or go to our FaceBook page for updates.

ACLU Youth Activist Scholarship
The ACLU is now accepting applications for the 2010 ACLU Youth Activist Scholarship Program. The ACLU is our nation's guardian of liberty, working daily in courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and laws of the United States guarantee to everyone in this country. In this year’s program, 15 high school seniors will win a $7,000 scholarship towards their first year in college. Scholarship recipients will also attend the "Youth Activist Institute" at the ACLU National office in New York City, where they will hone their activism and leadership skills and learn about civil liberties directly from the ACLU staff.

California Chafee Grant
Application for the Chafee Grant Program (or the Education and Training Voucher), which provides funds for foster youth attending colleges/universities, community colleges, or career/technical schools within the state of California.

California College Pathways Project
The goal of the California College Pathways Project is to increase the number of foster youth in California who enter higher education and achieve an academic outcome by expanding access to campus support programs, such as the Guardian Scholars Program, the Renaissance Scholars Program and other successful approaches to supporting former foster youth on campus.
     Important Tips for Applying to a California State University
     Before applying to a CSU school, please download the following document in PDF format:

Cal Independent Scholars Network Program
The Cal Independent Scholars Network Program(CISN) is dedicated to providing support and resources to incoming freshman and transfer students who were formerly in foster care, or who are otherwise independent. Upon arrival at Cal, the CISN program provides residential starter kits, school supplies and mentorship by student, staff, faculty, or alumni mentors. Contact the CISN coordinator at dlowemartinez@berkeley.edu, 510.642.6151

Call Me MISTER National Initiative
The Call Me MISTER National Initiative helps to arrange free four-year college tuition for male African American high-school Seniors who would like to become teachers. Student participants are largely selected from among under-served, socio-economically disadvantaged and educationally at-risk communities.

Return to Top of Page

More Scholarship Opportunities

Casey Family Scholarships
Applications for 2011-12 for OFA/Casey Scholarships are no longer being accepted. To apply for 2012-13, check back after January 1, 2012.
       Casey Family Scholars Scholarship
                 This $1500 to $6000 renewable scholarship is for students who have been in
                 Foster Care for at least one year at the time of their 18th birthday and are
                 enrolled in or have applied to college or a post-secondary training program.
                 Applicants must be under the age of 25 at the time of application.
       Casey Family Programs Scholarship
                 These Foundation Awards scholarships range between $1,500 and $10,000 a year to
                 students pursuing two- or four-year degrees, or a vocational training certificate.
                 Applicants must have been in foster care for one consecutive year at the time of
                 their 18th birthday or high school graduation OR have been adopted or taken into
                 legal guardianship out of foster care after their 16th birthday OR Have lost both parents
                 to death before the age of 18 and not been subsequently adopted. Applicants must
                 also have been accepted into or enrolled in an accredited post-secondary program
                 (university, college, community college or vacational/technical institute) and be
                 under the age of 25 when making application.
       Casey Family Scholarship for Graduate School
                This is a $10,000 scholarship for students enrolled full time in an accredited Master’s
                 or Ph.D. program. Nine scholarships will be granted. Winners are announced via
                 email and on the website, www.orphan.org.
If you have any questions, please contact: inar@orphan.org.

Cash for College
The City of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles City. Workforce Investment Board help L.A. families access higher education and career opportunities.For further information: Email cash4college@csac.ca.gov, telephone 888 324 7268 (888 CA GRANT), or fax 916 526-7360.

Return to Top of Page

More Scholarship Opportunities

Chafee Grants for California Foster Youth
Former foster youth in California and under 22 years of age may apply here for funding to help pay for college fees or fees for attending career and technical training.
     Click for further California Student Aid Commission opportunities in PDF format:

College Assistance Migrant Program Scholarship
The College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) is a 100% federally-funded grant available only during your college freshman year. You must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent legal resident, be obtaining your GED or high school diploma, and be seeking a four-year academic degree to be eligible.

You and/or your family must been migrant or seasonal farm workers doing agricultural activities directly related to the production of crops, dairy products, poultry or livestock; the cultivation or harvesting of trees; or fish farms at least 75 days during the past 24 months. Additionally, you can only apply this scholarship at one of the (38) existing colleges that have this federal grant. Participants of the Migrant Education Program (MEP) and the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) are encouraged to apply.

Please visit the sponsor's website for additional information, including a list of the eligible colleges.

College Sponsorship Program
High school seniors can apply for a $15,000 college sponsorship. UFC's College Sponsorship Program offers students $3,000 a year for up to five years for college-related expenses, as well as ongoing support through graduation from college. Applicants must be Los Angeles County foster or probation youth in 12th grade who are ILP eligible and/or in legal guardianship, have a cumulative 2.8 GPA or above who will be enrolled in a four-year college or university in the fall. The application is a two-part process that runs from July through January of a student's senior year. Students referred from July to early fall of their senior years will benefit from hands-on college counseling with UFC staff members.
          For more information please contact: Brenda Solorio.

Return to Top of Page

More Scholarship Opportunities

Community Colleges with Dormitories
2008 list of Los Angeles area Community Colleges that have dormitories on campus or nearby.

CSUN "Free" Scholarship for DCFS Youth
CSUN (California State University at Northridge) is offering a full "free" scholarship to any DCFS youth (in/out of system) who intends to pursue a major in the Performing Arts or Humanities. Please call Jacquelin Jaffe at (661) 702-6280 for more information.

DFW International Guide to Scholarships
for New Americans and Minorities
DFW International is the portal to international North Texas, a region in which 40% of the residents are New Americans of first or second generation. It is a network of over 1,600 North Texas internationally-focused civic, community and educational organizations that embodies the cultural and economic vibrancy of the global community whose mission is to promote and link North Texas ethnic and New American groups, empowering them as respected members of the community and providing forums through which to share their cultural heritages. This guide lists many scholarships available both in Texas and throughout the country that are specially targeted at new citizens and minority students.
      Download the guide in PDF format here:

Free Application for Federal Student Aid for Adopted Teens
Voice for Adoption description of the new federal law allowing teens to be adopted without losing financial aid.

Federal Aid for Youth without Stable Housing (Tips)
Click this link for tips on filling out your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). These tips are especially aimed at youth who are interested in attending college and will be applying for financial aid, but don't have stable housing.

Federal Aid for Youth without Stable Housing (Update)
There are new questions on the FAFSA pertaining to your foster care or homelessness status. Here is information about how to answer them to make sure you maximize the amount of financial aid you will receive for college.

Return to Top of Page

More Scholarship Opportunities

Michael E. and Trish Curry Scholarship Fund
This is a Scholarship Award for Trinity University students. The intent is to provide students with the tools to become creative thinkers, engaged citizens and visionary leaders. The scholarship award is unrestricted, with a preference given to students who are products of the foster care system, with a first choice from California, second choice from Texas and third choice from the rest of the country. Award amounts vary and are determined by the Trinity University Board of Trustees.

Financial Aid Resource Guide
Everything you need to know about paying for college: a thorough list of scholarships, financial aid options, and important deadlines to help keep you on track. Updated in 2008.

Fastweb
Scholarship search site that helps link you to scholarships most right for you.

Foster Youth Success Initiative
Connect with staff on community college campuses that can help succeed. The FYSI have access to a wide variety of campus supports and can help you navigate the campus.

        Download the FYSI Director in PDF format here: 

Free Application to Federal Student Aid
Student aid from the U.S. Department of Education. In many cases, this form needs to be completed in order to receive other types of grants. Application deadline for receiving the highest priority status is March 2 (students who meet this deadline usually qualify for the most financial aid).

Friends of Foster Children
Friends of Foster Children is a non-profit, all volunteer organization founded in 1976 to enhance the quality of life for abused, abandoned and neglected children in the San Gabriel Valley. Members monitor and mentor over three dozen college students and assist them with financial assistance through the FOFC scholarship program. Call (626) 445-4542  for further information.

Gates Millennium Scholarship Program
Application for the Gates Millennium Scholars program and information on other scholarships available.

Return to Top of Page

More Scholarship Opportunities

Guardian Scholars
Information on a support program for foster youth planning on attending Cal State Fullerton University. If accepted, scholarships are provided. Application details available. Students can call and make direct contact by calling 323-953-4000 ext.2345 or by emailing: guardianscholars@lacitycollege.edu.
Fullerton Guardian Scholars: Grace Johnson: 714 278-4900

Hopes & Hurdles: California Foster Youth and College Financial Aid
This report examines why surprisingly few California foster youth who apply for student aid receive all the grants they should, and some recommendations to address the situation.
        Download the an report in PDF format here:  
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund has a number of different scholarships available.  These are with different foundations and corporations and the deadlines vary.  Some of them also target African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American, in addition to Hispanic American students.

ILPOnline
Information on college scholarships specifically for foster and probation youth. Look for the Celebration I, Celebration II, and Success is Our Future events that give scholarships to participants (the application process is usually between January and March of each year, for graduating high school seniors only).

Incight Scholarship
Students can earn money for college if you are in college have a documented disability (physical, cognitive, learning, etc.). Applicants must attend college or a trade school full-time to qualify, and must submit an application form along with a letter of recommendation. For more information, please visit: www.incight.org or call (760) 674-2473.

       Download an application form in PDF format here:

John Burton Scholars Backpack to School Program
The John Burton Scholars Backpack to School Program helps to provide California youth in foster care that are enrolled in college with the equipment and supplies necessary to be prepared for school and to achieve academic success.

Return to Top of Page

More Scholarship Opportunities

Kennedy Center Accessibility TipSheet:
Scholarship and Financial Aid Resources
Compiled from many sources by the Accessibility Program at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., this list contains many scholarships available to disabled youth.
        Download the list in pdf format here:  

LA’s Cash for College
Scholarship information and help with filling out financial aid forms.

Los Angeles City College Guardian Scholars Program
If you’re a current or former foster youth, between the ages of 16 – 24, and looking to attend LACC, then contact this program! They will help you with academic advisement, financial aid, housing, employment services, mentoring, tutoring, personal guidance and counseling, or any other type of support you might need. Call (323) 953-4011.
        Download further information in pdf format here:  

Orphan Foundation of America/Foster Care to Success
Scholarships available specifically for foster youth. Scholarships for 2011-2012 are closed.

Return to Top of Page

More Scholarship Opportunities

Providing Effective Financial Aid Assistance to Students from Foster Care and Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
This excerpt from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office Foster Youth Success Initiative (FYSI) Manual: A Guide for Financial Aid Administrators includes information on securing financial aid for students in postsecondary education or training programs and describes how to respond to new FAFSA questions 55-60 that will determine your federal financial aid status.

      Download a copy of this excerpt in PDF format here:  

Return to Top of Page